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AFCON qualifiers: Nigeria to face Madagascar, Tanzania, Guinea-Bissau

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Nigeria have been drawn in Group L of the 2027 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifiers, where they will face Madagascar, co-hosts Tanzania and Guinea-Bissau for a place at the tournament, PUNCH Online reports.

The draw was conducted at the headquarters of the Egyptian Football Association in Cairo on Tuesday, with former Super Eagles captain William Troost-Ekong serving as one of the draw assistants.

A total of 48 teams will participate in the qualifiers, with the draw producing 12 groups and 24 teams qualifying for the finals.

Kenya, Tanzania and Uganda will host the tournament from June 19 to July 17, 2027.

Nigeria were drawn from Pot 1 and handed a relatively favourable path to the tournament.

However, due to the presence of Tanzania — who have qualified automatically as co-hosts — in the group, only the top team will qualify for the finals.

The same applies to other groups containing any of the co-hosts, while the top two teams from the remaining groups will qualify.

Among the notable groups, 2023 champions Côte d’Ivoire were drawn alongside Ghana, The Gambia and Somalia in Group C.

Winners of the 2025 edition, Senegal, will face Mozambique, Sudan and Ethiopia in Group J, while 2025 AFCON hosts Morocco will face Gabon, Niger and Lesotho.

The qualifying campaign will be played across three international windows. The opening two matchdays are scheduled for the FIFA window from September 21 to October 6, 2026, before Matchdays Three and Four take place from November 9 to 17, 2026.

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The final two rounds of matches will be played from March 22 to 30, 2027, when the line-up for the tournament is expected to be completed.

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CAF Accepts Joint Bid Of Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger To Host 2032 AFCON

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The Confederation of African Football (CAF) has officially accepted the joint declaration of interest submitted by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger to host the 2032 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON), BSNSports.com.ng reports.

The decision follows a productive meeting between CAF President Dr. Patrice Motsepe and the presidents of the football federations of the three countries.

The joint bid is being spearheaded by the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), with Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger seeking to stage Africa’s biggest football tournament together for the first time.Women’s Football Apparel

CAF commended the three nations for their collective ambition and commitment to strengthening regional cooperation through football, describing the initiative as a significant step towards promoting unity and development across the continent.

The acceptance of the declaration of interest marks the beginning of the bidding process, with the three countries expected to continue working with CAF to meet the requirements for hosting the 2032 AFCON.

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NSSF boss, Olabisi Joseph elected ISF Africa president

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President of the Nigeria School Sport Federation, Mrs Olabisi Joseph, has been elected Continental President for Africa of the International School Sport Federation during the 2026 ISF General Assembly in Belgrade, Serbia, The PUNCH reports.

A total of 82 countries attended the General Assembly, with 79 votes cast during the election.

Joseph’s emergence makes history as she becomes the first African woman and the first woman in the history of the ISF to be elected to the continental leadership position.

Her election is seen as another milestone for Nigeria’s growing influence in the development and administration of school sports across Africa.

In a statement signed by NSSF Secretary-General Oba Funsho, the federation congratulated Joseph on her achievement and pledged its support for her tenure.

“On behalf of the NSSF executives, state coordinators, management, staff and the entire Nigerian student community, we celebrate this milestone and pledge our full support as she takes on this continental responsibility to advance school sports for African children,” the statement read.

“We congratulate her and wish her a successful and impactful tenure.”

Joseph made history in 2019 when she became the first female president of the NSSF after emerging unopposed at the federation’s elective congress held at the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere, Lagos.

A former secretary of the federation, she was re-elected for a second term during the NSSF Annual General Meeting held in Lagos in 2024.

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Rafiu Durosinmi set to become Genk’s record signing

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Super Eagles sriker Rafiu Durosinmi is set to become Genk’s most expensive signing after the Belgian club agreed a €10.5m (about N16.6bn) deal with Pisa for the Nigerian striker, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

According to Italian transfer expert Gianluca Di Marzio, the deal includes performance-related bonuses, while Pisa will also retain a 10 per cent sell-on clause.

The transfer will eclipse Genk’s previous record of €7m, paid to Celta Vigo for Theo Bongonda in 2019.

Durosinmi, 23, only joined Pisa from Czech side Viktoria Plzen in January for a fee believed to be around €9m. However, he struggled to make an impact in Italy, scoring once in 12 competitive appearances.

Pisa’s relegation from Serie A has also influenced the decision to cash in on the Nigerian, with the club now set to recover most of their investment while retaining a stake in any future transfer.

Genk, meanwhile, are betting on Durosinmi rediscovering the form that made him one of the most highly-rated strikers in the Czech Republic.

The Belgian club have enjoyed success with Nigerian forwards, with Paul Onuachu becoming one of the league’s most prolific strikers before earning a move to the Premier League.

Tolu Arokodare also revived his career at Genk, winning the Belgian Pro League Golden Boot before joining Wolverhampton Wanderers.

Standing at 1.92 metres, Durosinmi fits the profile of the powerful centre-forward the club has traditionally developed, and Genk believe he can follow the same path as his compatriots.

The move could also boost his Super Eagles ambitions. With Victor Osimhen, Onuachu, Arokodare and Akor Adams competing for places in Eric Chelle’s attack, regular football and goals in Belgium could bring Durosinmi back into contention for Nigeria.

See also  Tobi Amusan Qualifies For 2026 Diamond League Final, Eyes Fourth Title

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